Washing machine



April 22, 1930. R. J. ANDERSON WASHING MACHINE Filed March 11, 1929 lNveNTOR RQBERrIfiND ATTORNEYJ Patented Apr. 22, 1930 TENT OFFICE ROBERT J. ANDERSON, OF SIDNEY, OHIO WASHING MACHINE Application filed March 11, 1929.

This invention relates to improvements in washing machines, and has for its special purpose the formation of an easy and ready clutch operating means for attaching the agi- 5 tator shaft to the agitator.

It also has for its purpose the provision of a clutch mechanism that is operated by a clutch shaft, and as the clutch shaft is lowered the clutch pins are raised and the parts are released. There is also provided with this form of clutch mechanism a clutch knob that is adapted to engage over a cap on the upper part of the agitator so as to prevent water getting into the clutch mechanism and the parts immediately below it.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an agitator pedestal with the agitator supported thereby in such a way that as the agitator rotates or oscillates there will be a minimum of wobbling, due to the proper support between the agitator stem and the agitator itself.

These and other advantages will appear from the following description, taken in connection with the drawings, which show a preferred embodiment of this invention. Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section showing the whole assembly. Figure 2 is. a section on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1.

In Figure 1 there is shown in broken lines the tub 1, which may be supported in any suitable manner and is of the usual form and type. Fitting within the central part of the tub is a pedestal on agitator stem, as indicated by the numeral 21 The pedestal or stem is attached to the lower part of the tub by means of bolts 3. The upper part of the pedestal provides a bearing 4, through which the operating shaft 5 passes and in which it oscillates or rotates as may be desired. In the description and claims the terms rotate and rotation are intended to include oscillate and oscillation. This shaft is driven by some suitable motive power, not necessarily a part of this invention.

On the upper end of the shaft 5 is a driving Serial No. 345,945.

head 6 attached thereto by means of a pin 7 and forming part of the shaft. In the upper end of the driving head is an orifice 8, which has therein packing 9 for the purpose of containing and holding a lubricant to lubricate the adjacent parts of the mechanism. This packing also forms a bed for the clutch shaft when in lowered position.

Supported by the agitator stem is an agitator 10, which is in the form of a cylinder and supported on the agitator stem for rotation thereon. Extending radially from the agitator is a series of vanes 11. There may be any number of these vanes; preferably three or four are used. 1 r

Projecting inwardly from the upper end of the agitator is an annular projection 12. This projection is preferably integral with the up per part of the agitator, and has extending downward therein a series of holes 13. There are three of these holes shown in the present embodiment, and they are for the purpose of receiving clutch plungers. In each of these holes there is a bushing 14. There is also arranged in the outer periphery of the outer 7 part of the agitator and extending into the annular projection a spring seat 15.

For the purpose of holding the agitator in operating position upon the agitator stem there is a catch member 16, pivoted at the point 17 to the upper part of the agitator. On the lower part of the catch is a lug 18. This lug 18 engages under the lower part 19 of the head 6, and when thus engaged the agitator is held in operating relation to the agitator stem. For the purpose of holding the lug 18 in engagement with the part 19 there is seated in the hole 15 a spring 20, as shown in Fi ure 1. J

djacent the upper end .of the agltator stem there is provided on the interior of the agitator a sleeve 21. Between this sleeve 21 and a seat provided on the upper part of the agitator stem is a bushing 22. The purpose of this sleeve and bushing is to guide the agitator as it rotates around the agitator stem and prevent any wobbling thereon. Below the bushing 22 and on the outside of the agitator stem, there is rovided a raceway 23. Cooperating with this race-way 23 there is a 1 race-way 24 provided on the interior of the agitator. In the space provided by these two race-ways there are balls 25 which serve ant'rfiiction purposes and enable the agitator to rotate easily and smoothly around the agitator stem.

Located just above the race-Ways and on the agitator stem is a removable retaining ring 26 which serves to prevent the displacement of the race-ways. As indicated by the numeral 27 the upper end of the agitator is screw threaded for the purpose of receiving a similarly threaded agitator cap 28. The upper end of this cap is formed into an upwardly extending sleeve 29, which has extendin therethrough a clutch shaft 30.

On tie upper end of the clutch shaft 30 is a clutch knob 31 in the form of a thimble, which has the open part extending downward and receiving the upper part of the agitator cap. The clutch knob is provided with an insert 32 which receives the screw threaded end of the clutch shaft for the purpose of holding the clutch knob to the shaft. The socket or thimble part of the clutch knob is indicated by the numeral 33 and fits over the upwardly extending sleeve 29 for the purpose of preventing water getting up around the clutch shaft and passing down into the agitator cap. Within the agitator cap and attached to the clutch shaft, is a clutch cone 34. This cone may be attached to the shaft in any suitable manner, but here it is shown attached thereto b means of a pin 35.

Suitab y supported within the annular projection on the upper part of the agitator is a guide washer 36, which receives and guides the lower end of the clutch sliaft 30 as the clutch shaft moves u and down in the operation of the clutc es. Surrounding the clutch shaft are two push plates, triangular in form and having in the center thereof an opening-large enough to receive and permit the passa e of the clutch cone. The upper of these p ates is indicated by the numeral 37, while the lower one is indicated by the numeral 38. Each of these plates is provided, at its angular part, with a notch 39. The clutch shaft extends through these plates and has surrounding it, and between the upper and lower push plates, a clutch spring 40. This spring is coil in sha and extends entirely around the clutch s aft, and is in engagement with the surfaces of the clutch cone during the operation of the clutch mechanism.

Fitting within the bushings 14 in the holes 13 there are clutch plungers 41. On the upper end of each pll llllnger there are two annular grooves 42. e upper grooves fit within notches on the upper push plate, while the lower ones are engaged by the notches on the lower, push plate. The clutch plungers 41, which at all times when the cap 28 is in position on the agitator, are in the bushings 14 and are operated up and down therein for engagement with the holes in the head on the upper end of the shaft 5. As shown in Figure 1, the push plates are on the lower conical surface of the clutch cone.

If the clutch knob should be pressed down, forcing the clutch cone through the push plates, as soon as the spring passes over the bulge on the clutch cone the push plates 1mmediately snap up, due to the action of the spring, and withdraw the plungers 41 from the holes in the head on the upper part of the shaft 5. At this time the clutch relationship between the shaft and the agitator is broken so that the shaft may rotate without the agitator, or the agitator may be rotated independent of the shaft. If, however, the clutch knob 31 is 'pulled up so that the clutch cone passes above the push plates and the clutch spring, the clutch plungers immediately sna downward, due to the action of the spring on the lower inclined surface of the clutch cone. The clutch plungers are again in engagement with the holes in the head of the shaft 5 so that as the shaft rotates the agitator rotates also.

If it should be desired to remove the agitator from the agitator stem and.the shaft, it is only necessary to push the upper end of the catch 16 in so as to release the lug 18 from engagement with the part 19 so that the whole agltator can be lifted off of the shaft and ag1- tator stem. For the purpose of replacmg the agitator the reverse action is necessary, with the proper engagement with the lug .18 under the part 19 on the head of the shaft. For the purpose of removing the plungers it is only necessary that the agitator cap 28 be screwed off of the upper end of the agitator.

There is provided here a device of th1s kind in which the parts are easily and readily assembled, and readily taken apart, and one in which the parts are thoroughly protected from the water in the tub.

I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as may be clearly embraced within my claims and the scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a washer, in combination with a tub and an agitator stem, a shaft rotatably supported by said stem, an agitator supported around and operated by said shaft, and means between said stem and agitator to stabilize the agitator in its operation, said means including a sleeve on the agitator and a bushing on the stem.

2. In a washer, in combination with a tub and an agitator stem, a shaft rotatably supported by said stem, an agitator rotatably supported by said stem and operated by said shaft but supported independent of the shaft, and means between said stem and agitator to stabilize the agitator in its rotation.

3. In a washer, in combination with a tub and an agitator stem, a shaft rotatably supported by said stem, and an agitator fitting on said stem and rotatably supported thereon by ball bearings and operated by said shaft.

4. In a washer, in combination with a tub and an agitator stem, a shaft rotatably supported by said stem, an agitator fitting on said stem and rotatably supported thereon by ball bearings and operated by said shaft, and a stabilizing bushing between said stem and said bushing.

5. In a washer, in combination with av tub and an agitator stem, a shaft rotatably supported by said stem, an agitator fitting on said stem and rotatably supported thereby, ball bearings between said stem and agitator, and a clutch means between said shaft and said agitator for the rotation of the agitator, said clutch means being carried by a part independent of the shaft and agitator.

6. In a Washer, in combination with a tub and an agitator stem, a power shaft rotatably supported by said stem, an agitator rotatably supported by said stem, and pin means on the agitator to engage a coacting part on the shaft for the rotation of the agitator.

7. In a washer, in combination with a tub and an agitator stem, a power shaft rotatably I supported by said stem, an agitator supported on said stem, ball bearings between said agitator and said stem for the rotation of the agitator on said stem, and coacting clutch means on the agitator and the shaft whereby the agitator may rotate with the shaft.

8. In a washer, in combination with a tub and an agitator stem, a power shaft rotatably supported by said stem, an agitator rotatably supported by said stem and operated by said shaft, ball bearings between said agitator and said stem for the rotation of said agitator, and coacting means on the shaft and the agitator to hold the agitator on the stem.

9. In a washer, a stem having a ball race thereon, an agitator fitting over said stem and havin a ball race, balls in said races for rotata 1y supporting said agitator on said stem, and a bushing between said stem and said agitator to prevent loose motions as the agitator rotates.

10. In a washer, a stem having a shoulder forming part of a ball race thereon, an agitator fitting over said stem and having a ball race, balls in said races for rotatably supporting said agitator on said stem, and a bushing between one end of said stem and said agi tator to prevent loose motion as the agitator rotates.

11. In a washer, a vertically arranged hollow stem having a ball race thereon, an agitator fitting over said stem and having a ball race, balls in said races for rotatably supporting said agitator on said stem, and a bushing between said stem and said agitator to pre- 85 vent loose motions as the agitator rotates.

12. In a washer, in combination with a power shaft and an agitator, a cap removably mounted on said agitator, and means in said cap adapted to engage said shaft and agitator for the rotation of the agitator as the shaft rotates.

13. In a washer, in combination with a power shaft and an agitator, the shaft and agitator having a hole therein, a cap removably mounted on said agitator, and means in said cap to engage said shaft and said agitator in said hole to rotate the agitator with the shaft.

14. In a washer, in combination with a power shaft and an agitator, the shaft and agitator having a hole therein, a cap on said agitator, a longitudinally movable shaft carried by said cap, and means fitting in said hole and operated by said last shaft to clutch said agitator to said shaft.

- 15. In a washer, in combination with a power shaft and an agitator, the shaft and agitator having a plurality of alignable holes therein, a cap on said agitator, and a clutch means in said cap to engage said shaft and said agitator in said holes for the rotation of said agitator with said shaft, said clutch means including a clutch shaft and a plurality of clutch plungers operated by said clutch shaft.

16. In a washer, in combination with a power shaft and an agitator, said shaft and agitator having a plurality of alignable holes therein, a removable cap on said agitator, and a clutch means in said cap to engage said shaft and said agitator in said holes for the rotation of said a itator with said shaft, said clutch means including a clutch shaft and a plurality of longitudinall movable clutch plungers operated by said s aft.

17. In a washer, in combination with a power shaft and an agitator, said shaft and agitator having a plurality of alignable holes therein, a removable cap on said agitator, a plurality of clutch plungers positioned in the oles in said agitator and adapted to engage in the holes in the shaft, a clutch shaft extending without said cap, and a clutch cone on said clutch shaft cooperating with said plungers to move said plungers on movement of said clutch shaft.

18. In combination with a power shaft and an agitator, said shaft and agitator having a plurality of alignable holes therein, a plurahty of clutch plungersiositioned in the holes in said agitator and a apted to engage in the holes in the shaft, a pair of spaced plates in engagement with said plun ers, said plates having holes therein, a sha havin a clutch cone thereon extending through sai holes, and a spring between said plates and in engagement wit said clutch cone whereby a movement of the clutch cone in'one direc tion produces a movement of the clutch plungers in the opposite direction.

19. In a washer, in combination with a shaft and an agitator, a cap on said agitator, said cap having a sleeve extending therefrom, a shaft extending through said sleeve, a thimble-shaped clutch knob on the outer end of said last shaft and in engagement with said sleeve to prevent water getting within the agitator, and means on the other end of said last shaft to effect a clutching engagement between the shaft and the agitator.

20. In a washer, in combination with a shaft and an agitator, said shaft and a 'tator having a plurality of alignable holes t erein, a cap having a sleeve extending therefrom removably attached to said agitator, a shaft extendin through said sleeve athimble-shaped clutch ob on the outer end of said last shaft and in engagement with said sleeve to form a water-tight engagement therewith, and a plurality of plungers operating in said holes to form a clutching engagement between the first shaft and the agitator, said plungers being operated by said second shaft.

21. In a washer, in combination with a power shaft and an agitator, said shaft and agitator having coacting clutch elements, a clutch shaft having thereon aclutch cone, and spring snap means operated by said clutch cone for causing an engagement and a disengagement of the clutch elements on the operation of the clutch shaft.

22. In a washer, in combination with a 7 power shaft and an agitator, said shaft and agitator having a pluralityof alignable holes therein, a plurality of clutch pins carried in the holes in the a tator and adapted to enter the holes in the s aft to effect the rotation of the agitator by the shaft, a clutch shaft having thereon a clutch cone and a spring snap means operated by said clutch cone and connected to said clutch pins for causing said pins to enter or leave the holes in the shaft on the operation of the clutch shaft.

23. In a washer, in combination with a power shaft and an agitator, said shaft and agitator having coactmg clutch elements, a clutch shaft having thereon a clutch cone, and snap means operated by said clutch cone for causing an engagement and a disengagement of the clutch elements on the operation of the clutch shaft.

24. In a washer, in combination with a- I power shaft and an agitator, said shaft and a 'tator having coacting clutch elements, a c utch shaft, and asplll'ling snap means operated b the longitu al movement of said shaft or causing an engagement and a disengagement of t e clutch elements on the operation of the clutch shaft.

In testimonfi whereof, I aflix my signature.

OBERT J. ANDERSON. 

